Screenwriting : 49 scripts requested last week from pitch sessions by Amanda Toney

Amanda, how do we pass on feedback from pitch feedback. As I posted in another topic, I just received the most ridiculous comments from the same person on two different scripts. First comment was on "why the company would sell the geniuses if they are so important?" Nowhere in the synopsis do I mention that at all. The same person on another script asks, "how would the character know the whale in the newspaper article is the mother of a calf?", completely ignoring that the story is about the TRAINER of the orca mother when the orca's calf died AND that the mother orc has a distinct STAR on the dorsal. We all work hard to write synopsis...having pitch targets highlight stuff that isn't even there. I'm glad some folks are being requested :) But if you read VERY minimal feedback (which I'm happy to share), you'll see why I feel like I just wasted $100 (three scripts pitches) with this person. :(

Congratulations to everyone who got a request!!!

Richard...I could wallpaper my office with the indecipherable musings of "experts" judging my pitches. If you have faith in your ability and work, just say "screw it" and move on.

Hey Richard Wilkinson! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback on your experience - I know it's hard to receive a pass, and understandably you want to understand why. Fitting a full story into two pages is really hard (as you know)! These executives are going off what they're reading, so maybe there's a better way to explain something to get across your message/story. But it is challenging to understand the references in your examples without looking at the full feedback. I want to make sure that you're getting the feedback you need. So do me a favor and email me at success@stage32.com and we can look through your feedback together and see what's what :)

I understand there isn't much happenoing with the strike, but how long should we normally wait after a request before figuring it's just not going to happen?

Hey Bill Albert! We go by three months (but that is of course assuming you sent materials or were introduced right away and didn't hold off on sending materials until after the strike). We also follow up with the executives on our end as well. But even when you do send out materials, you can still have other non-struck executives/pros looking at your script or pitch. You don't have to stop just because someone else is dragging their feet ;)

I have made other pitches and even had a script request. It's just that the pitch was in January and submitted in February so I was starting to suspect they just weren't interested.

Congratulations to you all, I look forward to hearing more about your scripts.

Bill Albert: I got a script request from Libby Meyer in August 2022. Still haven't heard a word. In fact, it's still "Under Review". Really? Back in the 1980s when I first toiled in Hollywood madness, I had the honor of having lunch with the great William Goldman (we had the same agent). He told me two things I've never forgotten and still guide my approach to this business. 1) "No" is the default position/answer from most film executives. 2) No one knows anything. Keep those in mind and keep pushing. People who come on here and bitch about the process engage in self defeating behavior.

Michael Elliot: Thank you

Congratulations guys, the writing world is healing!!!

Speaking of William Goldman, read his book, Adventures in the Screen Trade. You'll love it!

Ty...when we met (1981) he was in the process of writing it. Much of what he shared with me ended up in the book. Also met during my Hollywood days, John Gregory Dunne and his wife, Joan Didion. Dunne told me that in Hollywood, beating up writers was a blood sport. Also told this now politically incorrect joke (it was the early 80s, after all). So please, don't bash me over this..."Did you hear the one about the Polish actress? She thought she could get ahead in Hollywood by sleeping with the writers." If you want to see this idea played out in movies, watch "Bowfinger" with Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy and Heather Graham.

Congratulations to all of the writers who received script requests. The more you create the more opportunity you create. Way to go!

Don't know how I got left off the list, but had my script (and pitch deck!) requested as well!

Incredible story Michael Elliott! So cool that you got to have lunch with William Goldman and thank you for sharing your experience. I know what you mean, in this town, no one wants to outright say 'no', which is frustrating for writers. That said, that's not how we want things to run here at Stage 32. So I'm going to look into this and I will let you know as soon as we get a response since you deserve one

Congrats @Rick Sabino!!!!

Congrats to you all!!

Thank you Emily!

Michael Elliot, Thanks for sharing your experience with Libby Meyer. Don't think you have missed much there. I made the mistake of sending a pitch to her and her response was so convoluted and negative, I just disregarded it.

Rick...Hollywood is where dreams come true....but most just die unheralded deaths.

Another truism: "Hollywood is the only place where you can die of encouragement."

True story: Early in the year, I fired my manager and decided to pitch one here, normally I am a due diligence fiend but for whatever reason, I just bought the pitch and did my research after the fact, I was nauseous after I found that this person was not only someone I would not want as a manager, I wouldn't even want to have a conversation with --- super long story shorter -- I eventually was able to back out of that and I waited until I found someone else more appealing to pitch.

A month later that pitch was FANTASTIC, the person was rattling off names of people they had in mind to send the script to, so I was quite shocked when weeks and then months went by and never heard of a request or even got feedback. Once again, I went through the ---- long story ---- of getting a replacement pitch, and by now it's the strike, so I honor that and am even more picky about who I will pitch to.

Voila, I find a director who would be perfect for an entirely different project I have (and has no strike ramifications whatsoever) -- I watch his films, book the pitch, he loves it! Requests it right away and requests to meet/have my direct contact. He's on set in KY now and is going to set something up when he gets back in town, and I just got off another email with him where I sent the deck and budget.

2 takeaways: 1) I would be on this list if my pitch path wasn't so convoluted. 2) You can't force these things, so much of our progress simply comes down to timing and an unknown synergy, so you have to be able to pivot until something clicks into place. If you work at it, it will.

Congrats, All

Congratulations on the double request, Rick!!!

Your takeaway #2 is spot on, Laurie. Congratulations on the requests and finding a director!!! Hope the meeting goes great and he signs on!

Very cool, Michael Elliott! I have long admired Goldman. Successful novelist and screenwriter.

And Bowfinger is a classic!

congratulations all keep up the good work

So happy my ensemble crime comedy „Bookshop Bootleg“ got requested! Congratulations to everyone else on the list as well, speaks for our creative output!

Great job everybody!

Congrats to all!

Congratulations, Alana.

Thank you Maurice!

Way to go, all...and all the VERY BEST to you!

Congratulations, Rick!

You're welcome, Rick.

Terrific!

Congratulations to all.

Congrats, everyone! This is awesome news!

Thank you Richard Botto!

congratulations to everyone !!!

You forgot my Script was requested by Eric Hsaio with Justin Lin's company and Perfect Storm Entertainment... We've won 30 screenplay awards since 2022...

Am I supposed to be on this list if my treatment was requested? I’m new here and am just curious.

Pete, thank you for sharing that info! How do we contact Perfect Storm?

Laurie Ashbourne, Thank you for sharing your story. I have a question- did you put together the budget or contract that part of the pitch package out to someone? I was told a professionally prepared budget runs a few grand. Again, sincerely appreciate the post and what ever further insight you can provide!

Hi Rick - a full budget takes a couple of weeks to produce at minimum because you have to break down the script, which includes scheduling, getting quotes, rates and fringes etc., so a few grand is about right. Pitch decks and budgets are a couple of the services that my company provides, so all of my screenplays have those included as part of the creative package.

I have prepared two scripts, but I have very little knowledge, so I don't know what I can do and what I should do. Can you help me?

Hasan there are some great script options available in the "script services" section of Stage 32 and also in the "Education" section. What kind of help are you looking for?

Hi Jill, I need a path that will lead me to make my first film if I have good scripts and I don't know what to do.

Hasan you can check out the Pitch Sessions if you think you are ready for that, you can also email success@stage32.com for career advice.

Congratulations, everyone! This is fantastic!

Hasan, you should send an email to our development team at success@stage32.com and let them know about your screenplays and overall goals. They can help point you in the right direction regarding all the resources we have on the platform.

Congratulations, Pete!!!

Nice to meet you, Hasan. One way to bring attention to your scripts is to post them in the Logline Section of your profile.

I suggest adding a profile picture and a more detailed bio. They'll help you build relationships/network on here and if you have a picture, your profile will show up when someone searches for you.

Ashley, I will try this, thanks

Me too Maurice, I will try this, thanks

Jill, I will try this, thanks

You're welcome, Hasan.

3 out of 3 and I am blown away with gratitude .

Impressive, Adriana!

Congratulations everyone!

Congratulations everyone! :)